Lorelei Eurto's Blog, page 31
September 24, 2014
Weekend Recap
How can it be Wednesday already?? I have had some serious trouble catching back up after the weekend at Harvest Festival. It was a wonderful weekend show, really well attended, and the weather could not be better. We were a little nervous about Sunday's forecast of rain but it never hit us til we got home. Thanks GOD!
This was the first year that Harvest Festival was sponsored by Etsy. I hope this do this again next year! All participating Etsy sellers were segregated to one street downtown, Sharon Springs. At first I was a little hesitant with this location because it's kind of the edge of town and I worried that visitors wouldn't know to travel all the way down to get this area, but surprisingly traffic was quite heavy on Saturday. Lots of maps and signage directed people to our area.
It seemed tight at first but there was plenty of room for people to travel up the center of the road. I dare say I feel like I got better traffic being in this location as opposed to my other locations in past years. Etsy did a nice job of organizing everything, and they had a tent at the end of the street, where they gave out literature about signing up to sell and buy there.
Other than a little wind, the weather was fantastic. No cell service but that's no surprise. Why on earth they don't set up a hotspot for vendors for this show, is beyond me. It would have really helped me out a lot. Instead, I took down all credit card info and ran the cards from home each night using my Paypal Pay Now app. Which I just switched to from Square and love it so much more. And the money ends up in my paypal account immediately, no waiting 3 days for the money to drop into my bank account!
I saw some vendors in Etsy alley that I recognize, but many that I just learned about this weekend. Met some fantastic people and bought a few things too. I got 2 flavors of jam from Palmer & Brown. I loved their graphics, the products are so tasty and they were so friendly! I recommend shopping from them! www.Palmerandbrown.com I got the Blueberry Lime jam and the Apricot Vanilla jam. YUM. Be sure to check out their gorgeous website. And Etsy shop.
I also picked up a new little punch needle embroidery hoop from my friend Erin at Harp & Thistle. I actually have the bluebird that I saw featured on Martha Stewart....and as I was walking by the booth, recognized it, exclaiming That is is my Bathroom!! Erin came right over and we hit it off right away. It was so cool to chat with her and meet the artist behind some fantastic artwork. I had to have this owl. had to!
The first day I set my booth up with one table at the forefront, and the other in an L shape inside. For a little extra color in my booth I used some vintage floral tablecloths and some cute fabric bunting that my friend Tara let me borrow.
On day two, I moved the front table inside the tent, to the left side, and kept the other table at the right side. Creating a U shape, just for something a little different.
I sold several copies of my book *yay!, and lots and lots of tin stud and lever back earrings! Those were definitely what drew people into my booth and I wished I had made more!
All in all, the best show for me sales wise, ever. Really feels good to be able to sell my art, and make a little living on doing what I love. Life is good.
This was the first year that Harvest Festival was sponsored by Etsy. I hope this do this again next year! All participating Etsy sellers were segregated to one street downtown, Sharon Springs. At first I was a little hesitant with this location because it's kind of the edge of town and I worried that visitors wouldn't know to travel all the way down to get this area, but surprisingly traffic was quite heavy on Saturday. Lots of maps and signage directed people to our area.
It seemed tight at first but there was plenty of room for people to travel up the center of the road. I dare say I feel like I got better traffic being in this location as opposed to my other locations in past years. Etsy did a nice job of organizing everything, and they had a tent at the end of the street, where they gave out literature about signing up to sell and buy there.
Other than a little wind, the weather was fantastic. No cell service but that's no surprise. Why on earth they don't set up a hotspot for vendors for this show, is beyond me. It would have really helped me out a lot. Instead, I took down all credit card info and ran the cards from home each night using my Paypal Pay Now app. Which I just switched to from Square and love it so much more. And the money ends up in my paypal account immediately, no waiting 3 days for the money to drop into my bank account!
I saw some vendors in Etsy alley that I recognize, but many that I just learned about this weekend. Met some fantastic people and bought a few things too. I got 2 flavors of jam from Palmer & Brown. I loved their graphics, the products are so tasty and they were so friendly! I recommend shopping from them! www.Palmerandbrown.com I got the Blueberry Lime jam and the Apricot Vanilla jam. YUM. Be sure to check out their gorgeous website. And Etsy shop.
I also picked up a new little punch needle embroidery hoop from my friend Erin at Harp & Thistle. I actually have the bluebird that I saw featured on Martha Stewart....and as I was walking by the booth, recognized it, exclaiming That is is my Bathroom!! Erin came right over and we hit it off right away. It was so cool to chat with her and meet the artist behind some fantastic artwork. I had to have this owl. had to!
The first day I set my booth up with one table at the forefront, and the other in an L shape inside. For a little extra color in my booth I used some vintage floral tablecloths and some cute fabric bunting that my friend Tara let me borrow.
On day two, I moved the front table inside the tent, to the left side, and kept the other table at the right side. Creating a U shape, just for something a little different.
I sold several copies of my book *yay!, and lots and lots of tin stud and lever back earrings! Those were definitely what drew people into my booth and I wished I had made more!
All in all, the best show for me sales wise, ever. Really feels good to be able to sell my art, and make a little living on doing what I love. Life is good.
September 19, 2014
Round Rabbit Extra Update today!
If you're quick you can snag one of these gorgeous floral double sided box beads. But you have to be FAST. No, I'm serious. You can't just jump in and see everything listed first. Here's how the update happens. Nancy will begin listing new pieces at 12:00 noon est. Each type of bead, will be listed in groupings. Every 20 minutes til all new listings are up. So. 12:00. 12:20. 12:40 etc. You will have to keep refreshing your page to be able to view all of these listings as they go up but be prepared to add your favorites to your cart immediately. Once it's in your cart, you will have it for 10 minutes before you have to check out. SO be prepared to check out fast, and not to worry. If you see something listed at the next interval, Nancy will combine the shipping and refund any overpaid shipping fees.
Good luck everyone!
Round Rabbit Extra
12:00 noon est.
September 17, 2014
Jewelry for the Online shops
I feel bad that I've been completely neglecting my online shops this week as I am creating for the craft show this weekend in Sharon Springs. So I think I am in a good position now and spent today creating just for my online shop. However whatever doesn't sell the next few days will go with me to Sharon Springs. But at any rate, here are the new pieces. The tin studs and telephone necklace are on Etsy and the other stuff is at my webstore.
September 16, 2014
Unexpected Findings Book Tour
Welcome!!
Today I'm reflecting on a pretty cool project that landed on my doorstep in 2014. I was offered a contributor spot in an upcoming jewelry book written by my own book editor, Michelle Mach. She was a fantastic editor for Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry and I absolutely adored working with her, so I knew that I didn't need to hesitate about her upcoming project! Unexpected Findings: 50+ Clever Jewelry Designs Featuring everyday components is officially out in stores and online this month!
What's the book about?
Michelle did an amazing job showcasing several contributors who have a knack for using findings in unexpected ways. You don't always have to use a toggle as a clasp, and have you ever thought about the outcome if you used a basic finding like a pendant bail or hook and eye clasp in a totally unique and different way? There are 50+ projects in this gorgeous book that will inspire you to start thinking outside the box when it comes to using different jewelry findings.
I guarantee you'll learn something fascinating and this book will be the book you grab first while working on your own projects this upcoming year.
I was fortunate to have several designs published and here are just a few that are included in the book:
Botanica
Use a lobster clasp as the FOCAL!
Owl at the Moon
A creative way to include bead frames in a design but without a bead in the centers!
Sweet
Soire
Bead cones don't have to always have corral bead strands, what about dangling crystals!?
A book/blog tour would't be as fun without a great little incentive eh? Michelle has some prizes up her sleeve and here is how to be entered to win! Leave comments on my post, or any of the contributors book tour posts this week to be entered to win the following prizes:
Grand Prize
$50 (Fifty Dollars) Etsy Gift Card (1 prize)
You can spend this on anything offered at the many individual shops on Etsy. This could be fabulous art beads, cool jewelry findings, a hand painted coffee mug, a knitted scarf ... whatever you want. (Note: Not all Etsy shops accept gift cards, so if you win, you may want to do a search for those that do.)
First Prize
Fun with Findings Kit (2 prizes)
You can win some of the exact findings used in the book, plus a bunch of other findings that I thought were cool. (I ran out of room to add all the page numbers to the photo!) Prize packs include everything pictured here: jump rings, head pins (handmade by Miss Fickle Media and C-Koop), filigree links, clasps (hook-and-eye, ball chain, lobster), bead caps, cord ends, and more!
Second Prize (3 prizes)
To play off the "unexpected" in my book title, three winners will receive a small mystery pack of findings (valued at $8). No photo or preview ahead of time. It will be a surprise!
Rules
This giveaway is open to all visitors except the book's contributors and author (me). Contributors are welcome (and encouraged!) to comment, but won't be entered in the drawing.
One comment per person per blog post for a maximum of eight chances to win if you visit and comment on all eight book-related posts during the September 15-19, 2014 period.
We'd love for you to help us spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. No extra entries, but lots of good karma!
Michelle will contact the winners by email this weekend (Sept. 20-21) and post the winners here next week (Sept. 23). Remember when you comment that we'll need an email address to contact you if you win.
Blog Tour Schedule - September 15-19, 2014
Have a good time hopping around the participants posts this week, here are the links and dates!
Monday, Sept. 15Michelle Mach
Tuesday, Sept. 16 Lorelei Eurto You are here!Erin Siegel
Wednesday, Sept. 17 Cindy WimmerErin Prais-Hintz
Thursday, Sept. 18 Andrew Thornton
Friday, Sept. 19 Denise Yezbak MooreMolly Schaller
Today I'm reflecting on a pretty cool project that landed on my doorstep in 2014. I was offered a contributor spot in an upcoming jewelry book written by my own book editor, Michelle Mach. She was a fantastic editor for Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry and I absolutely adored working with her, so I knew that I didn't need to hesitate about her upcoming project! Unexpected Findings: 50+ Clever Jewelry Designs Featuring everyday components is officially out in stores and online this month! What's the book about?
Michelle did an amazing job showcasing several contributors who have a knack for using findings in unexpected ways. You don't always have to use a toggle as a clasp, and have you ever thought about the outcome if you used a basic finding like a pendant bail or hook and eye clasp in a totally unique and different way? There are 50+ projects in this gorgeous book that will inspire you to start thinking outside the box when it comes to using different jewelry findings.
I guarantee you'll learn something fascinating and this book will be the book you grab first while working on your own projects this upcoming year.
I was fortunate to have several designs published and here are just a few that are included in the book:
Botanica
Use a lobster clasp as the FOCAL!
Owl at the Moon
A creative way to include bead frames in a design but without a bead in the centers!
Sweet
Soire
Bead cones don't have to always have corral bead strands, what about dangling crystals!?
A book/blog tour would't be as fun without a great little incentive eh? Michelle has some prizes up her sleeve and here is how to be entered to win! Leave comments on my post, or any of the contributors book tour posts this week to be entered to win the following prizes:
Grand Prize
$50 (Fifty Dollars) Etsy Gift Card (1 prize)
You can spend this on anything offered at the many individual shops on Etsy. This could be fabulous art beads, cool jewelry findings, a hand painted coffee mug, a knitted scarf ... whatever you want. (Note: Not all Etsy shops accept gift cards, so if you win, you may want to do a search for those that do.)
First Prize
Fun with Findings Kit (2 prizes)
You can win some of the exact findings used in the book, plus a bunch of other findings that I thought were cool. (I ran out of room to add all the page numbers to the photo!) Prize packs include everything pictured here: jump rings, head pins (handmade by Miss Fickle Media and C-Koop), filigree links, clasps (hook-and-eye, ball chain, lobster), bead caps, cord ends, and more!
Second Prize (3 prizes)
To play off the "unexpected" in my book title, three winners will receive a small mystery pack of findings (valued at $8). No photo or preview ahead of time. It will be a surprise!
Rules
This giveaway is open to all visitors except the book's contributors and author (me). Contributors are welcome (and encouraged!) to comment, but won't be entered in the drawing.
One comment per person per blog post for a maximum of eight chances to win if you visit and comment on all eight book-related posts during the September 15-19, 2014 period.
We'd love for you to help us spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. No extra entries, but lots of good karma!
Michelle will contact the winners by email this weekend (Sept. 20-21) and post the winners here next week (Sept. 23). Remember when you comment that we'll need an email address to contact you if you win.
Blog Tour Schedule - September 15-19, 2014
Have a good time hopping around the participants posts this week, here are the links and dates!
Monday, Sept. 15Michelle Mach
Tuesday, Sept. 16 Lorelei Eurto You are here!Erin Siegel
Wednesday, Sept. 17 Cindy WimmerErin Prais-Hintz
Thursday, Sept. 18 Andrew Thornton
Friday, Sept. 19 Denise Yezbak MooreMolly Schaller
September 11, 2014
Show Season Prep
I only have 2 shows this season to prepare for. My open house, down the road in November (Nov.22) and the Sharon Springs Harvest Festival next weekend! (Sept20-21) I wanted to also sign up for the Indie Garage Sale Holiday Shoppes but it falls on the same day of Joe's high school reunion so it didn't work out. I'm kind of hoping something else pops up maybe in October but I'm not sure it'll happen.
At any rate, I have to some stock built up for the shows. Next weekend's Harvest Festival is my biggest show of the season. They get a ton of traffic, even though it's a tiny little town. The show always brings the big Beekman Boys crowd. But this year is a little different. Etsy will be there. Yep. ETSY! So I got an email a few weeks ago asking if I'd like to be considered for the Etsy Makers Village, a separate section of the show dedicated only to Etsy sellers. They made us aware that we'd be "considered" but not everyone would be accepted (probably due to space constraints) I finally got the email yesterday that I got in!
THIS IS WONDERFUL! However, it adds that much more pressure to have a great looking booth!! For some reason, I feel panicked. I don't think I'll have time to make a lot of big changes to my booth and display. But it does have me thinking of how to bump it up a notch so that I stand out!
The potential to be near more jewelry booths is higher in this new location.
Here's what last years booth looked like. Not sure I'm going to bring my mannequin this year. But we'll see, I like using it to display my long necklaces. And I've already started making a bundle of them for the show.
People love this style, it's a nice long comfortable, and they're not too heavy. A nice little attention grabber and they can be worn any time. I tried doing a few different styles and colors.
I like the idea of maintaining collections for the show, so I may do this again with something like my multi-strand bracelets or mixed media Collections necklaces. What would you do to build small collections. What are the most popular items that sell in your shows? Besides earrings? I will definitely need to be amping up my earring selection too because that's probably the best thing that sells for me.
Might have to do a bunch of these leather and fabric bracelets too. They seem to get a lot of attention at shows.
Another idea I had, was to do a big bunch of beaded bangles and have a U PICK 3 for a set price. I like this idea of people being able to choose their own. That is something that would definitely attract me at a booth.
Another great seller for me are these Tin Post earrings. So I definitely have to get some of those made up to have in a display by the checkout station!
busy busy busy, better get back to work!!
At any rate, I have to some stock built up for the shows. Next weekend's Harvest Festival is my biggest show of the season. They get a ton of traffic, even though it's a tiny little town. The show always brings the big Beekman Boys crowd. But this year is a little different. Etsy will be there. Yep. ETSY! So I got an email a few weeks ago asking if I'd like to be considered for the Etsy Makers Village, a separate section of the show dedicated only to Etsy sellers. They made us aware that we'd be "considered" but not everyone would be accepted (probably due to space constraints) I finally got the email yesterday that I got in!
THIS IS WONDERFUL! However, it adds that much more pressure to have a great looking booth!! For some reason, I feel panicked. I don't think I'll have time to make a lot of big changes to my booth and display. But it does have me thinking of how to bump it up a notch so that I stand out!
The potential to be near more jewelry booths is higher in this new location.
Here's what last years booth looked like. Not sure I'm going to bring my mannequin this year. But we'll see, I like using it to display my long necklaces. And I've already started making a bundle of them for the show.
People love this style, it's a nice long comfortable, and they're not too heavy. A nice little attention grabber and they can be worn any time. I tried doing a few different styles and colors.
I like the idea of maintaining collections for the show, so I may do this again with something like my multi-strand bracelets or mixed media Collections necklaces. What would you do to build small collections. What are the most popular items that sell in your shows? Besides earrings? I will definitely need to be amping up my earring selection too because that's probably the best thing that sells for me.
Might have to do a bunch of these leather and fabric bracelets too. They seem to get a lot of attention at shows.
Another idea I had, was to do a big bunch of beaded bangles and have a U PICK 3 for a set price. I like this idea of people being able to choose their own. That is something that would definitely attract me at a booth.
Another great seller for me are these Tin Post earrings. So I definitely have to get some of those made up to have in a display by the checkout station!
busy busy busy, better get back to work!!
September 9, 2014
New Color Mixes at Jewelry Accord
I sat down yesterday and created several new color mixes, all inspired by the Fall season. Be sure to stop by Jewelry Accord: The Store to see what's new. And several of the current palettes are now discounted 50%- check out the RETIRED section!
September 8, 2014
Website of the Week: The Ink Nest
The Ink Nest is a great site to snag some really great graphics for your blog or website. The team of artists who design these graphics are a talented bunch- find out more about them here.
I had fun perusing the site for a good chunk of time so be sure you have a cold beverage and a little extra time to browse! I fell head over heels for so many of the birds and forest creature graphics. They are beyond cute.
September 5, 2014
Happy September!
When September hits all I can think of is finally being able to throw on some Jeans, and a cute sweater, and of course, buying up all the acorn and leaf beads that I anticipate being offered for Fall!! These lovelies above are by Nancy Adams of Round Rabbit Extra. And if you are lucky enough to snag one, they'll be posted in her pendant update today at Noon est. at Round Rabbit Extra.
Good luck!
P.S.
Stay away from that teal one in the center, it's got my name on it. I may have to cut someone.
jk.
September 4, 2014
Toggles Hot off the Bench Block
Webstore!
Brand new toggles in a variety of tin options, are now available for sale on my website. I hope you dig em!
September 3, 2014
A new Version
Playin around again with stitched chain. In this newest version, instead of adding say, a cup chain along the center of the 2 chains, I added some stitched cup beads!
The anchored the linen on the backside, and started stitching the cup beads - These beads are double drilled making it easier to stitch them onto the chain.
Here is a close up shot of how it looks. I used the long drop beads to stitch the two chains, make a fringe like edge.
The backside isn't really pretty but this piece fits nicely snug against the wrist and doesn't flip around. It's like a cuff, I guess.
This bracelet is for sale here.
The anchored the linen on the backside, and started stitching the cup beads - These beads are double drilled making it easier to stitch them onto the chain.
Here is a close up shot of how it looks. I used the long drop beads to stitch the two chains, make a fringe like edge.
The backside isn't really pretty but this piece fits nicely snug against the wrist and doesn't flip around. It's like a cuff, I guess.
This bracelet is for sale here.
Lorelei Eurto's Blog
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